Synchronizing device for cameras



July 28, 1942. M. SCHWARTZ Erm.

S'VflClIROlIIZlNGl DEVICE FOR CAMERAS Filed Aug. '7, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet l NNY z la. T um m 2 may m Wmw L wy. 0MM

July 28, 1942. M. SCHWARTZ ETAL SYNCHRONIZING DEVICE FOR CAMERAS Filed Aug. 7, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 a su mmap Twrn. M WM5 o Nsr MM. MEW w 4. 2

M. SCHWARTZ ETAI.`

SYNCHRONIZING DEVICE FOR CAMERAS July 28, y1942.

Filed Aug. '7, 1939 S'Sheets-Sheet 3 CSTEDEL ATTORN Patented July 28, 1942 sYNcnRoNIzING DEVICE Fon CAMERAS Morris Schwartz, New York, Ernest Sisto, East Elmhurst, and William Castedello, Huntington, N. Y., assignors, by direct and mesne assignments, to The Kalart Company, Inc., Stamford,

Conn.

Application August 7, 1939, smal No. 288,782

Claims.

This invention refers to timing devices applicable for cameras having focal plane shutters. Our invention bears a relation to Patent No. 1,959,596,

l granted to Philip De L. Patterson, May 22, 1934.

An object of this invention is to provide a timing synchronizer arrangement fora camera shutter, said arrangement constructed in a manner easily attachable to a camera and not requiring.

any particular change in the camera mechanism or structure.

A further object of this invention is to provide a timing mechanism -for a camera which will provide means for regulating the timing interval be.. tween the opening of the screen shutter and the flashing of a flashlight bulb.

A further object of the invention is to provide a synchronizer for cameras having focal plane screen shutters and means contained in said.

trating the manner of external wiring between the synchronizer and the battery case.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the apertured disk shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a section through the synchronizer unit taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 11 f Fig. l0 is a section of the synchronizer taken on the line Ill-I0 of Fig. 1.

Referring to Fig. l, the numeral 20 is a camera having a lens 2|, bellows 22, camera bed 23 and plate holder 24. A shaft 25, which operates the screen shutter 26 is located at the upper part of l the camera 20. The shaft 25 has a gear 21 which Fig. 1a is a section taken on a line Ia--Ia of Fig. 1.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a. camera shown in Fig. 1, showing an internal wiring arrangement for use in connection with a flashlight circuit.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view showing the synchronizer cocked and in position preparatory for operation.

Fig. 4 shows the synchronizer in the position of just starting in its progressive operative movement.

Fig. 5 is a View of the inside of the cover of the synchronizer unit, showing the electric contacting arrangement and the safety switch.

Fig. 5a is a section taken from the line 5a-5a I is operated through the medium of a, gear 28 in the usual manner of a camera of the type shown in the drawings.

A curtain shutter plate 29 is located at the side 30 of the camera 2li. The camera 20 is equipped with the standard type plane shutter in the form of a curtain, said curtain having several successive openings of diierent widths. Said curtain ls wound upon rollers inside the camera by means of the winding handle 3l and when wound up is held in wound position by a locking lever arrangement (not shown). Said locking lever arrangement is in operable connection with a finger lift 52 and the forward movement thereof releases said locking lever arrangement and the consequent unwinding set-off of the shutter curtain.

The arrangement as described is common to such types of cameras known as Graphic Cameras. Our invention is attached to said camera, and is further applicable to cameras of the kind having a, focal curtainshutter strip.

` The rectangular synchronizer cover 3| is secured over the plate 29 by means of screws 32, 33 and 34.

The cover 3| has a boss cavity 35 into which the end of the shaft 25 rests.

. The cover 3l also has an opening 36 over which is placed the shutter operating knob or handle 3i.

' A rod 38 extends through the bottom of the cover 3i. The apertured disk 39 projects partially below the synchronizer cover 3|. The apertured disk 39 has numerals marked thereon from 1 to 9, which serve as a setting guide for adjusting the position of said disk. In Fig. 3 the arrow t9 shows the position in which the disk is set.

Reerring to Fig. 5, which illustrates an inside view of the synchronizer cover 3|, the insulation HE, is secured to the cover 3| through the medium of rivets 42. A pair of prongs 43 and M, is secured at the upper part of the cover 3|.

The prong Il is insulated from the cover 3l and is electrically connected through the medium of insulated wire 4I to contact block 48, said block being insulated from the cover Il by means of the insulation".

The rod il enters the cover 8| through an opening I1. A block I8 serves to support the rod 3l. A spiral spring 4I, which encircles said rod,v

l pressure of the spiral spring 4l through the meciium of the movement of 'the finger lift B2, the insulated head portion 50 will depress the iiat spring Il against the contact block Il, thus making an electrical contact.

The spring I3 is in electrical connection with the semi-circular contact strip l5, said strip being insulated from the cover Il. The apertured disk I9 has a cut out portion I4 and a flanged collar 55. A pivotally mounted member is hinged at the pivot Il which hinges in a bearing Il of the apertured disk and the bearing 5l of the flange 55.

A half round spring contact arm .Il is also secured to the pivot Il. The contact arm lil has an adjusting slot 6I, and is secured topivot 51 by means of a screw 62. By means of said adjustment slot the contacting position of the contacting portions 56a and 56h may be varied on the initial assembly of the arrangement as shown in F18. 8.

A spring 83 serves to keep the contact arm I9 in raised position at the lower end thereof as shown in Fig. 10.

The apertured disk 39 is placed over the circular extension 6l of the plate 29 (see Fig. 9). Said disk can be rotated by the operator of the camera when it is required to adjust the timing of the synchroniser of the camera Ill. The semicircular contact strip 65 upon which the contact spring 53 rests is located inside the cover 3i and is secured in position as shown in Fig. 5 as stated.

A battery case 86 is fastened-to the camera 20 and a flexible cord l1 connects the battery in said battery case 68 to the prongs Il and 4l shown in Figs. 9 and l0.

Referring to Fig. 2, which illustrates an internal wiring arrangement between the synchronizer and the battery case: In this instance, instead of connecting the battery with the synchronizer by means of a flexible cord 61 as shown in Fig. 'I and with prongs similar to prongs Il and Il in Fig. 3, there is enclosed inside the camera body wire leads 68 and 69 from the synchronizer terminals a and a Fig. 2 to the battery within the battery case 66.

Operation To operate the focal plane screen shutter 2 of the camera 20, the knob 91 of which the shutter mechanism is a part is turned 180 (see Fig. 4). Since the screen shutter is always under spring tension. when the knob or handle 31 is released through the usual mechanism well known to the art, said knob will return when released to its original position as shown in Fig. l. The movement of the knob as described above, is utilized in the applicants invention not only to operate the shutter but also to operate simultaneously the flashlight synchronizer in the following rnanner:

'I'he cam member 59. shown in Fig. 6. which hinges on the pivot l1; 'is normally held in position shown through the medium of the tension of the spring in a manner to move in the flanged collar of the apertured disk 39, to the position as shown in Figs. 9 and l0. The cam member Il contacts with the bottom portion IIa of the knob 31. When the knob 31 is in the position as shown by the arrow in Fig. 3, the lower part 31a rides over the pivoted cam member It. The free end of the cam member has an angular conformation, said conformation sliding over contiguous contact surface 31a of the knob Il.

When the knob $1 is released and returned, it

depresses the member I8. 'This movement will turn the pivot l1, causing the half round contact arm lll to connect with the semi-circular contact plate Il.

The release of the knob 31 occurs when the finger lift lever 52 is raised by depressing the cable release lla or by index finger at B2b, said knob 31 being in operative engagement with the lift lever B2, the aforesaid arrangement being standard with the type of camera illustrated herein. The rod I8 at the moment the lift lever 52 is lifted is also raised, and the beginning of the latter movement closes the gap between the spring I3 and the contact block 4l, before knob 91 has started to move.

The utilization of the switch comprising the spring 5I and the contact block 46 affords a safety factor in the possibility of a short-circuit in any portion of the synchroniser circuit beyond the spring 59 and the contact block I6, the latter switch arrangement being termed a safety switch."

'Ihe electric circuit in the synchronizer arrangement as described includes the spring Il. contact block 49, insulated wire l5, prong 43, insulated wire 61. battery in the case 66, prong M. synchroniser cover Il, disk I9. contact arm l0, and contact strip 88. As the winglike knob or handle 31 turns half a revolution, it releases arm I8 which permits the contact point portion a or the contact portion 66h of the arm l0 to make contact with the strip 65. thus completing the. circuit that iires the flashbulb. When the knob $1 completes its half revolution, it depresses the arm Il which in turn again opens the circuit at either contact portions 56a or 58h of the arm lil and the strip 65.

When it is required to change the timing interval of contacting of the spring contact arm 00 with the contact strip 95, the apertured disk 39 is set in a direction beyond the arrow 40 shown in Fig. 3.

The selection of whichever contact portions 56a or 56h contacting upon the plate B5 depends upon the position of the apertured disk 39 with respect to the handle 31; said position of the disk 39 is changed at the will of the camera operator by revolubly shifting said disk, said shifting thereof being made possible by the projection of a portion of said disk below the cover 3i as heretofore stated.

The aforesaid operation will change the time relation of operation between the knob 31 and the pivoted member 58 with the consequent changing of the time period of contact between the spring contact arm 60 and the contact strip 65. The aforesaid action will cause a change in the timing interval between the flashing of the flashlight and the operation of the screen shutter.

When it is desired to make a time exposure,

said setting being common to cameras of the type shown in the drawings. The disk 39 is then moved with the finger to the position in which the numeral 1 on said disk will bein line with `the point -of the arrow 40 shown in Fig. 3.

When said setting occurs, the end portion of the cam member 56 is in .a raised position, contact is made by the contact arm 60 at 56h with the strip 65 and the opposite portion 56a is raised clear of said strip 65,

When knob 31 is turned 145, said turning results in a full opening of the camera screen shutter lwhich is the usual adjustment of cameras of this type. 'I'he pivoted cam member 56 will be pressed by means of the portion 31a of the knob 31; and, at the same time the contact portion 56h will be raised upward against the contact strip 65 resulting in the closing of the electric circuit already described, and the flashing of the flashlight attached to the battery case 66.

It will thus be seen by means of our invention a very compact and efficient arrangement is protact being included in a circuit having a flashlight and a battery therein.

2. The structure as set forth in claim 1, and including a normally open safety switch in said circuit and -an associated operating member therefor, said operating member being controlled by said winding handle releasing lever and means including said winding handle releasing lever and said safety switch operating member to close said safety switch concomitatly with the release of said winding handle.

3. In combination, a camera having a multiple aperture focal plane shutter curtain, unwinding and'winding up rollers for said shutter curtain, a winding handle on said camera in operative relation with said unwinding and winding up rollers for winding up and cocking said shutvided readily attachable to especially types of releasing means operates in conjunction with the l winding handle 3 6 which is attached to andro- Atatable with said shafting arrangement.

The foregoing description is well known Ato the art 'and is given here to amplify the type of ,Icamera to vwhich this invention especially applies. VSaid arrangement provides a photo-flash means operating synchronously with the operation ofthe combination Winding and curtain shutter 'set off handle of said camera. The aforesaidarrangement is attachable to v said camera without the defacing or mutilationthereof.

It is lunderstood thatv the `'particular device described. above isintended to be merely illustrative and n ot limitative of the invention, since it is obvious that the invention may be effected by apparatus arranged invarious other ways within the scope of the claims.

What'we claim is:`

l. Inlcombination, a camera having a multiple aperture focal plane shutter curtain, unwinding and winding up rollers supporting said shutter curtain, a winding handle and a shaft associated with said rollers whereby said shuttercurtainv may be wound up or cocked, a release lever norter, a photofiash lamp controlling unit associated with said camera, a circular aperture in said unit through which said handle projects, a projecting member integral with said handle, a normally open contact set, contact controlling means including a pivotally mounted member engagea-ble by said projecting member, a releasing lever for tripping said handle, means including said contact controlling means and said promallyoperative to maintain said shaft and Winding handle in cocked position-means including said winding handle for controlling a photoflash unit associatable with Asaid camera, said unit including yan apertured .disk contiguous to said Winding handle and having a flanged aperture through which said winding handle projects, a cam member pivotally lmounted in the flange of said disk, a projecting portion on said handle .in the path of and engageable with said cam, a movable'contact member controlled byY said cam, an

tact member into engagement with said contact strip, said contact strip and said movable conjecting member on the unwinding movement of said handle when tripped by said releasing lever for closing said contact set, a photofiash lamp, a battery and a normally open safety switch, a member for operating said safety switch and means including said handle releasing lever for operating said safety switch operating member to close said safety switch concomitantly with the tripping of said handle to cause the unwinding movement of said shutter curtain and the closing of said contact set whereby the circuit to said photofiash lamp is completed in timed relation to the movement of said shutter curtain.

4. In combination, a camera having a multiple aperture focal plane curtain shutter strip, unwinding and winding up rollers supporting said curtain shutter strip, a winding handle attached to said camera and in operable relation4 with said rollers, a photoflash unit attachable to said camera and contiguous to said handle, an apertured disk in said unit, said disk having a centrally positioned circular flanged opening through which said handle projects, a cam member pivoted in the flange of said disk, a projecting member portion on said handle in operative relation with said cam, said cam operably attached to electrical contacting means, the contacting of said electrical contacting means being made upon the unwinding movement of said handle through means including said cam member and said projecting member portion, said electrical contacting means included in a circuit,

said circuit also including a flashlight and batteryiwhereby the flashing of said flashlight is in synchronism with the tripping movement of the focal plane shutter operable with the unwinding movement of the Vhandle aforesaid.

5. 'Thestructure as set forth in claim 4, and said apertured disk being rotatably adjustable, said rotatable movement of said disk causing either advance timing or retarding of said contacting means, a portionof said disk projecting vbelow the casing of said synchronizing unit, the exposed portion of said' disk having scaled divisiori'markings thereon, said markings indicating the position of said" disk in the rotation thereof and indicating whether said contacting means is set for 'advanced or retarded timing with respect to the contacting of the contacts of the contact ing means.

6. In combination, a camera having a multiple aperture focal plane curtain shutter strip, unwinding and winding up rollers supporting said curtain shutter strip, a winding handle attached to said camera and in operable relation with said unwinding and winding up rollers, a photoash unit attachable to said camera and contiguous to said winding handle, a flanged apertured disk in said unit, said disk having a centrally positioned circular opening through which said handle projects, a cam member pivotally mounted in said flange and movable within the rim of said circular opening, a projecting member portion on said handle and engageable with said cam, said disk having electrical contacting means thereon, said disk operably attached to said cam, the contacting of said electrical contacting means being made upon the unwinding movement of said handle through the medium of contact engagement of said cam with said projecting member portion, said contacting means included in a circuit, said circuit also including a flashlamp and battery, said flashlamp and battery attachable to the camera aforesaid,

7. The structure as set forth in claim 6, said apertured disk being rotatably adjustable, said adjustment enabling the adjustment of the timing periods for the contacting of said contacting means to eiect the synchronizing of the setoif of said focal plane shutter with the ilashin of the flashlamp aforesaid.

8. The structure as set forth in claim 6, said apertured disk projecting below the casing of said synchronizing unit, the exposed portion thereof 9. The structure as set forth in claim 6. and

said apertured disk being rotatably adjustable.

- a portion of said disk projecting below the casing of said synchronizing unit, the exposed portion of said disk having scaled division markings thereon, said markings indicating the position of said disk and the setting thereof for timing having visible markings thereon, said markings the period at which said contacting of said contact means is to be made.

10. In combination, a camera having a multiple aperture focal plane curtain shutter strip, unwinding and winding up rollers supporting said curtain shutter strip, a winding handle attached to said camera and in operable relation with said rollers, a photoilash unit attachable to said camera and contiguous to said winding handle, a hanged apertured disk in said unit, said disk having a centrally positioned circular opening through which said handle projects, a cam member pivotally mounted in the flange of said disk and movable within the rim of said circular opening, a projecting member portion on said handle within the path of said cam on the rotation of said handle thereby causing said cam to pivotally move upon the unwinding set-oil' movement of said handle; contacting contact means integral to said cam. said pivotal movement of said cam causing the contacting of said contacting means, said contacting means included in a circuit, said circuit also including a flashlight and battery, said flashlight and battery attachable to the camera aforesaid.

MORRIS SCHWARTZ. ERNEST SISTO. WILLIAM CASTEDELLO. 

